Washburn University's

In honor of Washburn University’s 150th year in 2015, the Ichabod became Topeka’s newest form of eclectic street décor.

Washburn, along with community partners, highlighted the unique Ichabod mascot for Ichabods Around Town, an art-icon event that features fiberglass Ichabod statues decorated by local and regional artists and positioned around Topeka.

The 5-foot-tall Ichabod statues have been installed throughout Topeka. The statues were fabricated by Chicago Fiberglass Works. John Conklin, with Shorey Metal Works, and DJ Hagans, Conklin’s employee and also a Washburn University student, installed the statues. KBS Constructors, Inc. graciously donated time to install the statues’ concrete bases.

"Tribute to Aaron Douglas"Artist: Susan McCarthy, Lawrence, KansasLocation: Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. The statue is located south of the library, in the small triangular park at 11th Street and Washburn Avenue.Sponsor: Federal Home Loan Bank

History of the Ichabods

In October 1868, Ichabod Washburn, a business man and Congregationalist church deacon, generously pledged to then Lincoln College a donation of $25,000. In gratitude for his generous donation, the Board of Trustees changed the name of the college from Lincoln to Washburn College. Washburn died Dec. 30, 1868.

Indications are that Washburn students began referring themselves as Ichabods before organized athletic teams were formed in the late 1800s. By 1904, The Kaw yearbook made it known that the “Sons of Ichabods” were taking the field.

Decades went by before the Ichabod had a visual representation. Topekan Bradbury Thompson, a 1934 Washburn graduate, brought the “heroic” Ichabod figure to life in the graphical symbol of a man with a top hat and tails carrying a book. In the 1938 Kaw yearbook, Thompson wrote, “It is not intended that only one picture should represent Ichabod, for he adapts himself to any situation . . . but if he is to live, he must keep his essential characteristics of courageous spirit, democratic courtesy, kindness and the studious love of truth.”

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What's an Ichabod?

Washburn's mascot, the Ichabod, honors the school's early benefactor, Ichabod Washburn, a 19th century Massachusetts industrialist. The original design of the studious-looking, tuxedo-clad figure was created in 1938 by Bradbury Thompson (ba '34), who became an internationally acclaimed graphic artist. Design wasn't Thompson's only consideration. To the stylized Ichabod the artist attributed the qualities of "...courage and enthusiasm, as shown by his brisk walk. He is democratic and courteous, for he tips his hat as he passes. Sincere in his search for truth and knowledge, he studiously carries a book under his arm..."